Friday, March 27, is shaping up as a defining moment for the Orange Democratic Party (ODM) with a bitter internal power struggle spilling into the courts in a showdown that could reshape the party’s leadership and future.
At the centre of the storm are three complaints filed before the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal, all converging on the legality of key decisions ahead of the party’s Friday National Delegates Convention (NDC).
The most urgent case, filed by ODM member Evans Amuga, seeks to block the recognition of East African Legislative Assembly (Eala) MP Winnie Odinga as Nairobi’s “number-one party delegate” and to stop her endorsement as deputy party leader.
The dispute is further complicated by a parallel fallout over the National Executive Committee (NEC), led by interim party leader Oburu Oginga, which has moved to expel Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna as secretary-general deepening divisions within the party.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna at Sarova Stanley during the Linda Mwananchi Forum reviewing the broad-based government’s 10-point agenda report on March 11, 2026.
Photo credit: Wilfred Nyangaresi | Nation Media Group
Another petition by Vincent Chepkwony challenges the legality of the NEC itself, arguing that ODM has breached its constitution and that resolutions made on February 11, 2026 are unlawful.
The tribunal, chaired by Gad Gathu, is expected to deliver rulings on the Sifuna and Chepkwony cases on Thursday, decisions that are likely to significantly influence the direction of the party ahead of the high-stakes convention.
Fresh filings by Mr Amuga which have been certified urgent warn that actions taken ahead of the Special NDC risk undermining internal democracy.
The tribunal has already issued directions for service of the application and responses, signalling a race against time before Friday’s meeting.
At the heart of the dispute is a March 17 Nairobi branch meeting held at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation, where Ms Odinga was elevated as the county’s lead delegate and proposed for the deputy party leader position.
Eala MP Winnie Odinga (center) during the ODM Nairobi County delegates and officials meeting at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation in Upper Hill, Nairobi, on March 17, 2026.
Photo credit: Wilfred Nyangaresi | Nation Media Group
Mr Amuga argues that while Ms Odinga qualifies as a delegate by virtue of her EALA position, the creation of a “lead delegate” role is unconstitutional.
“The election of National Officials, including Deputy Party Leaders, is the exclusive constitutional mandate of the National Delegates Conference under Articles 6.2.2 and 7.2.4(g) of the ODM Party Constitution, and cannot be pre-determined by county-level meetings or any other subordinate party organ,” he states in his filings.
He further contends that the endorsement amounts to an attempt to pre-empt the outcome of elections scheduled for the convention, violating the party’s constitution.
“The informal endorsement does not satisfy constitutional requirements,” the filings state, warning that such actions pre-determine the outcome of elections scheduled for the Friday convention.
Culture of dynastic succession
The complaint also raises concerns over what it terms a creeping culture of dynastic succession, warning that transferring influence associated with the late Raila Odinga to his daughter risks undermining competitive internal democracy.
The legal battle comes at a politically sensitive time for ODM, which has been reconfiguring following Mr Odinga’s death in October 2025.
Since then, the party has split into factions those backing the current leadership under Mr Oburu and a reformist wing pushing back against recent decisions.
Among the most contentious issues is the move to expel Mr Sifuna, with tribunal filings accusing him of causing confusion through contradictory public statements, while his allies insist the process was irregular and politically motivated.
Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
The tensions have sparked rival mobilisations, including the “Linda Mwananchi” faction, which is planning a parallel gathering on the same day as the official convention.
ODM’s mainstream wing has dismissed the rival meeting as illegitimate, insisting that the Special NDC at Jamhuri Grounds will proceed as planned.
Nairobi ODM chairman George Aladwa who presided over the disputed meeting, maintains that the county supports the current leadership and has warned against attempts to disrupt the convention.
Mr Amuga is seeking orders to bar ODM from recognising the contested delegate position, restrain preferential treatment of Ms Odinga at the convention, and ensure that elections are conducted strictly in line with the party constitution.
He argues that without urgent intervention, the integrity of the NDC risks being irreversibly compromised.
Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga during an interview with NTV and Daily Nation at Serena Hotel Nairobi on October 30, 2025.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group
For Mr Oburu, the convention is a critical test of his authority as interim leader, with expectations that it will consolidate his position and chart ODM’s path towards the 2027 elections.
For Ms Odinga, it presents an opportunity to formalise her growing influence within the party albeit one clouded by legal and political uncertainty.
For ODM, it is a delicate balancing act between managing succession, maintaining unity and adhering to its constitutional processes.
